Sugar Free Allstars among Oklahoma bands playing South by Southwest Festival
Sugar Free Allstars
Oklahoma City kindie rock duo Sugar Free Allstars have been added to the growing list of Sooner State bands playing the South by Southwest Conference and Festival coming up in Austin, Texas.
The Allstars announced today on Facebook that they will be part of the lineup of the two-day Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child Family Music Meltdown 2013 showcase set for March 14-15 at the Tamale House East. The OKC duo will play March 15. The showcase also will feature Mr. Leebot, The Deedle Deedle Dees, Joe McDermott Kids Music and many more talented family music acts.
As previously reported, Oklahoma City-based psychedelic rockers The Flaming Lips will play “The Warner Sound Captured by Nikon” showcase at SXSW on March 14 at the Belmont. The Lips, who are releasing their new album “The Terror” on April 2, also will perform March 15 at Auditorium Shores.
They Lips also will debut a film titled “A Year in the Life of Wayne’s Phone,” that – yes, you guessed it – features footage from over a year on frontman Wayne Coyne’s iPhone. The film makes its debut at the Alamo Ritz Theater at 9:15 p.m. March 13, with a Q&A with Coyne to follow the screening, according to Paste.com.
As previously reported, the third annual Buffalo Lounge, Oklahoma’s official SXSW showcase, will spotlight a diverse array of Oklahoma musical talents March 11-13 at The 512. The Buffalo Lounge musical lineup includes Samantha Crain, Broncho, Taddy Porter, Jabee, Josh Sallee, Parker Millsap, OK Sweetheart, Susan Herndon, Modern Rock Diaries, Beau Jennings and The Tigers, Deerpeople, Stardeath and White Dwarfs, Colourmusic and more.
For more information, go to www.sxsw.com.
-BAM
Wednesday Video Spotlight: “The Sound of Peace” by Flaming Lips’ Steven Drozd and the students of ACM@UCO
In this March 16, 1972 photo, John Lennon and Yoko Ono leave a brief deportation hearing in New York at the offices of the Department of Immigration and Naturalization. Ono celebrated her 80th birthday on Feb. 18. (AP file)
As previously reported, the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus rolled into the Oklahoma City metro last week for a series of activities at the University of Central Oklahoma’s Edmond campus and the university’s Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM@UCO) in Bricktown.
Since 1998, the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus has provided free, hands-on programs to millions of young people throughout the U.S. and Canada. Working together with educators and some of the biggest names in music, the Lennon Bus encourages students to play music, write songs, shoot digital photos, engineer recording sessions and produce video projects using the latest audio, video, still camera and live sound equipment.
In honor of the 80th birthday of Yoko Ono, Lennon’s widow, The Flaming Lips multi-instrumentalist Steven Drozd, ACM@UCO students and local folks, created the otherworldly song “The Sound of Peace” and its equally psychedelic video:
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Video: Happy 30th birthday to The Flaming Lips!
The Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne performs at the New Year’s Eve Freakout #5 at the Coca Cola Bricktown Events Center in Oklahoma City. Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman Archives
It was 30 years ago today that Oklahoma City-based psychedelic rockers The Flaming Lips started their weird, wacky, wonderful, Grammy-winning, Oklahoma State Rock Song-honored career.
In honor of this momentous occasion, I’d like to share the Lips performing my favorite of their songs at one of the band’s hometown New Year’s Eve Freakouts, which I was thrilled to get to review a couple of times.
The band’s long-awaited 13th studio album, “The Terror,” will be released on April 2 in the U.S., which means Wayne Coyne and Co. are kind of giving us a gift for their 30th birthday. Which is awesome.
Happy birthday, Lips! Thanks for making OKC cool before it was cool to think of OKC as cool.
-BAM
Greyson Chance writes open letter to fans addressing his split from Interscope
Singer/songwriter/pianist Greyson Chance, 15, of Edmond released this week on Facebook an open letter to his fans reassuring them that he plans to continue to make music despite “legalities involved with parting ways with Interscope,” his record label.
Greyson also announced on Facebook today that he will be boarding the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus Friday afternoon as it ends its weeklong visit in Oklahoma City.
The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus is a state-of-the-art mobile audio and HD video recording and production facility. The bus is designed to provide students, their schools and communities with performances, tours, studio sessions, recordings and other educational opportunities, according to a news release.
At 3 p.m. Friday, Greyson, Guns N’ Roses guitarist Richard Fortus and Flaming Lips multi-instrumentalist Steven Drozd will participate in a live streaming event from the bus featuring video highlights from the bus’ week in OKC. People can tune into www.lennonbus.org/live.
Greyson is inviting fans to send in their questions using #lennonbus on Twitter or go to the Lennon Bus’ page and post their questions on their wall for a chance to hear an answer to your question live on air and win a Lennon Bus T-Shirt autographed by Greyson.
Here is Greyson’s open letter:
Hello everyone,
I’ve been reading your tweets & Facebook messages, heard some of the rumors, and have realized that I owe you some updates. I apologize for the delay, but I wanted to clear some things up with this letter. First off, to answer the biggest rumor, I am not taking a break or “giving up” on being an artist. When I read these rumors online, it makes me very sad to see people saying that I would give up. I want you all to know that I am devoted to my art and to you all to let you down like that. There are a lot of legalities involved with parting ways with Interscope, and my team has been working hard to get everything sorted out. As you can imagine, this process takes a very long time but just recently things have been getting finalized. While the legal situation has been taking place I have had time to mediate over my artistry and vision. The down time has given me the chance to get a new perspective of who I am as an artist, and has given me the time to write a lot of new music and grow a lot as an artist. Honestly, one part of me is glad that I gained an outlook over this time for I needed to clear some things within my head. I’m sorry if I let anyone down when Truth Be Told part 1 didn’t end up coming out in January as we had planned, but promise that I’ll make it up to you in the long run. For now, you can still enjoy it on Spotify and other streaming music services. I’m headed back into the studio very soon, and will shortly have some more official updates to share about what’s next for me and my career. I can honestly say that I am very excited about this new music and the people that I am working with coming up. I want you to know that I am not giving up for I love this art too much and I love you all too much. So I ask of you to please be patient, and don’t believe the rumors you may be hearing. Thank you so much for all of your continued love and support, and God bless.
With love,
-Greyson Chance
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John Lennon Educational Bus to visit UCO and ACM@UCO campuses for tours and more
The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus will roll into the Oklahoma City metro Monday-Feb. 22 for a series of activities at the University of Central Oklahoma’s Edmond campus and the university’s Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM@UCO) in Bricktown.
The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus is a state-of-the-art mobile audio and HD video recording and production facility. The bus is designed to provide students, their schools and communities with performances, tours, studio sessions, recordings and other educational opportunities, according to a news release.
The bus will be open to the public for tours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday at Broncho Lake, just to the north of the Nigh University Center, on the UCO main campus in Edmond; and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday at the ACM@UCO in the parking lot north of the building off Sheridan and Oklahoma Avenue.
John Lennon (AP file)
On Monday and Tuesday, ACM@UCO students will work with the engineers on board the bus to record a version of “Happy Birthday” for Yoko Ono, Lennon’s widow, whose 80th birthday coincides with the visit. Students along with members of The Flaming Lips and Richard Fortus, guitarist for Guns N’ Roses, who will be in town for an ACM@UCO master class, will contribute sound snippets of what “peace” sounds like to them for John Lennon Educations Tour Bus project.
The visit will wrap up at 3 p.m., Friday, Feb. 22 with a live streaming event from the bus featuring video highlights from the week with featured guests Fortus and Steven Drozd of The Flaming Lips at www.lennonbus.org.
“This is an unprecedented opportunity for our students and the community to experience the creation of music while celebrating the spirit of one of the world’s most influential musicians,” said Scott Booker, ACM@UCO chief executive officer in the release.
Since 1998, the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus has provided free, hands-on programs to millions of young people throughout the U.S. and Canada. Working together with educators and some of the biggest names in music, the Lennon Bus encourages students to play music, write songs, shoot digital photos, engineer recording sessions and produce video projects using the latest audio, video, still camera and live sound equipment.
The visit to UCO and the ACM@UCO is sponsored by the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce.
Based on the successful model from the original ACM in Guilford, England, the ACM@UCO is an innovative music program unlike any other in the U.S., offering an industry-based, “real world” educational experience for those interested in a career in contemporary music.
From its location in downtown Oklahoma City’s Bricktown district, the ACM@UCO offers two-year associate degree programs in bass, drums, guitar, keyboard, music business, music production and vocals, with the option to pursue a Bachelor of Applied Technology degree.
To learn more about the ACM@UCO, go to www.acm-uco.com or follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ACM.UCO.
For more information on the Lennon Bus, go to www.lennonbus.org.
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Flaming Lips, Macklemore and Paramore to play Warner showcase at Austin’s South by Southwest
The Flaming Lips
Oklahoma City-based psychedelic rockers The Flaming Lips, Paramore and Macklemore and Ryan Lewis are among the artists heading to South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, next month to perform at “The Warner Sound Captured by Nikon” showcase.
According to Billboard.com, three-day live music residency is set for March 12-14 at The Belmont Austin. Billboard will be the official media partner for the event, which will also feature Tegan and Sara, Alt-J, The Joy Formidable, Fitz & the Tantrums, Lianne La Havas, Delta Rae and other Warner Music Group artists.
All evening shows will be live-streamed on The Warner Sound’s YouTube page, and several of the artists will be wielding Nikon’s newest Wi-Fi cameras to capture and share the sights with fans.
The Lips, Alt-J, The Joy Formidable, Frightened Rabbit, Atlas Genius, Surfer Blood, and Guards are set to perform Thursday, March 14. See the full Warner schedule, click here.
-BAM
Video: Oklahoma Valentine’s Day playlist
Oklahoma country singers Blake Shelton and his wife, Miranda Lambert, arrive at the Warner Music Group 2013 Grammy Celebration at the Chateau Marmont, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013, in West Hollywood, Calif. (AP)
My fine colleague Dave Cathey invited me to contribute a list of Oklahoma songs for a Valentine’s Day film and music list that ran in Tuesday’s Life section of The Oklahoman. Here’s a version of my Oklahoma Valentine’s Day playlist:
“You’re the Reason God Made Oklahoma,” written by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant, Larry Collins and Sandy Pinkard; recorded by David Frizzell and Shelly West; covered by Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert: This ballad from the 1981 movie “Any Which Way You Can” is quite possibly the best country song with an Oklahoma reference in the title. When the future Mr. and Mrs. Shelton performed it on a TV special, their chemistry was apparent.
“Mama’s Song” written by Carrie Underwood, Kara DioGuardi, Marti Frederiksen and Luke Laird; sung by Carrie Underwood: The Checotah native co-wrote this autobiographical ballad about a bride on her wedding day assuring her mother that her new husband is a good man.
“When Love Finds You” written by Vince Gill and Michael Omartian; sung by Vince Gill: The Sooner State native may just be one of the best country balladeers ever.
“Somebody” written by Dave Berg, Sam Tate, and Annie Tate; sung by Reba McEntire: The Oklahoma-born and bred songstress is actually better at belting about heartache than romance, but she encourages folks who haven’t found Mr. or Miss Right just yet to keep hope alive in her 2004 hit.
“Unanswered Prayers” written by Pat Alger, Larry Bastian and Garth Brooks; sung by Garth Brooks: The Oklahoma country music megastar co-wrote this smash based on true events. It’s about a man meeting his old high school sweetheart at a hometown football game and introducing her to his wife.
“Pompeii Am Gotterdammerung” by The Flaming Lips: A pair of lovers flee the society that wants to keep them apart and decide to throw themselves into an erupting volcano together, thus preserving their love forever in molten lava. Tragically romantic.
“Heartbreak Hotel,” written by Tommy Durden and Oklahoma-bred songwriter Mae Boren Axton; sung by Elvis Presley: Feel so lonely you could die this Valentine’s Day? Wallow with The King.
“Tennessee Waltz,” written by Redd Stewart and Pee Wee King; made famous by Patti Page: Page achieved a rare feat when her rendition of this sad slow dance became a No. 1 hit concurrently on the pop, country and R&B charts. As previously reported, the late, great Claremore native was honored last week with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and Kelly Clarkson belted “Tennessee Waltz” in Page’s honor during Sunday night’s Grammy Awards. To watch Clarkson perform “Tennessee Waltz,” click here.
“By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” written by Jimmy Webb; made famous by singer Glen Campbell: Webb’s most famous ballad definitely conveys the pain and dread of a broken love affair.
“Taylor the Latte Boy,” written by Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich; sung by Kristin Chenoweth: The Broken Arrow native is known for her huge voice, but she has a keen sense of humor, too. Plus, I firmly believe, as this song indicates, that the giddiness of potential new love goes best with a nice cup of premium coffee.
-BAM
Flaming Lips’ anatomically correct, music-filled chocolate heart proves a sell-out
After releasing music-laden USB drives in gummy fetuses and skulls last year, Oklahoma City-based experimental rockers The Flaming Lips decided to go a different tasty direction for Valentine’s Day.
The Lips partnered with Dallas-based Dude, Sweet Chocolate to create an anatomically correct chocolate heart. And not just any chocolate heart would do: They created a 72 percent South American dark chocolate studded with hazelnut mini whoppers and waffle cone crunch.
Each tasty organ comes with a 15-track USB titled “Songs of Love” and in a box featuring signatures from the Lips’ Wayne Coyne and Steven Drozd.
The hearts were on sale online for $60 each via Oklahoma gift retailer Dwelling Spaces, but alas, they are all sold out at DwellingSpaces.net.
I guess Lips fans will just have to hope the band has plans for more music-filled candy concoctions. Maybe a green beer-flavored candy liver for St. Patrick’s Day?
Or you can just wait for the band’s long-awaited 13th studio album, “The Terror,” which will be released on April 2 in the U.S.
Here is the track list for the Valentine’s Day chocolate heart USB, to go with the video sampler embedded above:
“Valentine’s Theme 2013 Greeting”
“Love is Mind Control (featuring Stardeath And The White Dwarfs)”
“Be My Head”
“Can’t Exist”
“Hit Me Like You Did The First Time”
“Let Me Be it”
“Moth In The Incubator”
“Sunship Balloons”
“Thanks To You”
“Spiderbite Song”
“When You Smile”
“With You”
“Pompei Am Götterdammerung”
“What Is The Light?”
“Just Above Love”
“All You Need Is Love (Featuring Alex and Jade of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros)”
-BAM
Download or stream Flaming Lips’ “Sun Blows Up Today,” from Hyundai Super Bowl commercial
As previously reported, Oklahoma City-based psychedelic rockers and their new super-catchy new jam “Sun Blows Up Today” were featured Sunday in one of my favorite Super Bowl commercials, for the Hyundai Santa Fe.
Titled “Epic Playdate,” the ad depicts The Lips inspiring a family of five to go on an appropriately outrageous adventure involving tough-looking bikers, shenanigans at a natural history museum and dressing as robots.
If, like me, you can’t get enough of “Sun Blows Up Today,” Hyundai is giving fans the chance to stream or download the song for free at www.epicplaydate.com. If you’re a Twitter user, you can authorize the site to send a tweet and unlock the free MP3.
The Lips and Warner Bros. Records recently announced that the band’s long-awaited 13th studio album, “The Terror,” will be released on April 2 in the U.S.
The digital pre-order of “The Terror” begins today through the iTunes Store and other participating digital retailers. All pre-orders include “Sun Blows Up Today,” which was custom-written for the Hyundai ad, as an instant gratification, non-album, bonus track.
Here’s an extended version of the ad:
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Video: Oklahomans Paul Harvey and The Flaming Lips featured in Super Bowl commercials
Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips performs at the 2011-12 New Year’s Eve Freakout in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman Archives)
The Baltimore Ravens held on to beat the San Francisco 49ers 34-31 Sunday night in Super Bowl XLVII. Unfortunately, the Super Bowl commercials weren’t nearly as good as the game this year.
But two of my favorite ads of the night featured talented Oklahomans.
As previously reported, one of Hyundai’s Super Bowl spots featured Oklahoma City-based psychedelic rockers The Flaming Lips and their super-catchy new jam “Sun Blows Up Today.”
Titled “Epic Playdate,” the ad depicts The Lips inspiring a family of five to go on an appropriately outrageous adventure involving tough-looking bikers, shenanigans at a natural history museum and dressing as robots.
The band plays on the roof of their suburban home, Wayne Coyne catches a blueberry in his teeth, and one of the sons engages in an epic game of bowling by riding in one of Wayne’s signature crowd-surfing space bubbles.
Oh, and there’s confetti. Of course there’s confetti. So it’s pretty much the perfect ad for the Lips given the limitations of its upcoming placement on primetime network television. Here’s an extended version of the ad:
President George W.Bush awards radio commentator Paul Harvey, a Tulsa native, the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2005, in Washington. Harvey died in 2009. (AP file)
My favorite ad of the night, though, was the Dodge Ram Truck “Farmer” commercial featuring the voice of the late radio broadcaster Paul Harvey, a Tulsa native and University of Tulsa graduate.
Harvey, who died in 2009 at the age of 90, gave his “So God Made a Farmer” featured in the commercial at the 1978 Future Farmers of America convention. Since I happen to come from a long line of Oklahoma farmers – my mom and dad continue the proud, dwindling tradition of family farmers – this one brought tears to my eyes:
-BAM
